Department for Transport

Unlocking the UK’s high tech economy: consultation on the safe use of drones in the UK.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: This statement has been made to correct a previous statement
HLWS395
made on
21 December 2016






Today, I am pleased to inform the House that the UK Government has launched a consultation “Unlocking the UK’s high tech economy: consultation on the safe use of drones in the UK.” Drone technology represents a great opportunity for the United Kingdom, but it’s crucial that we strike a careful balance in our approach to drones – a balance between pushing their commercial uses and ensuring safety considerations. The Government’s Industrial Strategy will support our ambition for Britain to become the global go-to place for scientists, innovators and tech investors, and the development of new technologies such as drones is key to that. We are already well-placed: alongside the Government’s support for trials and projects, the Civil Aviation Authority has granted over 2,000 commercial drone operator permissions. But we want to further drive forward progress in the UK drones industry by fostering the right supportive environment. In the UK, drones are already being used by the Police, fire services and search and rescue in emergency situations, by energy, road and rail providers to inspect and maintain our key infrastructure, and by conservation organisations to monitor natural environments. Drones are saving time and money, improving delivery of services in these areas, improving safety and even helping to save lives. As the technology develops, we will see drones being used in other fields to achieve similar results. There are also many leisure users of drones, who must follow the strict laws in place, such as keeping their drone within their sight. With the photographic and videography opportunities drones present, sales of drones to this audience are increasing at pace. But like many other technologies, drones can also be misused and challenge safety, security and privacy. Whilst the vast majority of drone users are law-abiding and have good intentions, it is likely that some are not aware of the rules that apply and inadvertently break them, risking safety, privacy and security. It also cannot be ignored that there will be some who will purposefully break the laws on drones, and potentially use drones to cause harm. The Government’s vision is for a society and economy in the UK where drones are safely and properly used in ways that improve the delivery of public and commercial services, where all leisure drone users are aware of the rules and adhere to them, and where flourishing drone service businesses are contributing to the UK economy, creating jobs and encouraging the development of important new skills in the UK. We want to create the right conditions for new uses of drone technology to emerge and grow, placing the UK at the cutting edge of new technologies and capture a significant portion of the global drone applications market. We will not do so unless we take the safety, security and privacy challenges and our duties to the general public extremely seriously. This consultation sets out some of the next steps under consideration for doing so. These proposals aim to keep pace with this fast emerging market, balancing the challenges appropriately without restricting the opportunity drones present. They are intended to ensure the global competitiveness of the UK as a home for innovation and technological investment while providing the assurance the public need. As the technology and market opportunities develop, we want to proactively address these challenges, and support the growing and changing UK drones services industry. The consultation is published on gov.uk and the deadline for responding is 15 March 2017. Responses are encouraged from drone operators (commercial and leisure), the aviation industry, drone manufacturers and other companies involved in the drone market, model aircraft associations and their members, the insurance industry, members of the public and relevant NGOs, higher education institutions and research and development institutions, local authorities, and members of both Houses.

Unlocking the UK’s high tech economy: consultation on the safe use of drones in the UK

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: This statement has been corrected by a new statement:
HLWS396
made on
21 December 2016




Today, I am pleased to inform the House that the UK Government has launched a consultation “Unlocking the UK’s high tech economy: consultation on the safe use of drones in the UK.” Drone technology represents a great opportunity for the United Kingdom, but it’s crucial that we strike a careful balance in our approach to drones – a balance between pushing their commercial uses and ensuring safety considerations. The Government’s Industrial Strategy will support our ambition for Britain to become the global go-to place for scientists, innovators and tech investors, and the development of new technologies such as drones is key to that. We are already well-placed: alongside the Government’s support for trials and projects, the Civil Aviation Authority has granted over 2,000 commercial drone operator permissions. But we want to further drive forward progress in the UK drones industry by fostering the right supportive environment. In the UK, drones are already being used by the Police, fire services and search and rescue in emergency situations, by energy, road and rail providers to inspect and maintain our key infrastructure, and by conservation organisations to monitor natural environments. Drones are saving time and money, improving delivery of services in these areas, improving safety and even helping to save lives. As the technology develops, we will see drones being used in other fields to achieve similar results. There are also many leisure users of drones, who must follow the strict laws in place, such as keeping their drone within their sight. With the photographic and videography opportunities drones present, sales of drones to this audience are increasing at pace. But like many other technologies, drones can also be misused and challenge safety, security and privacy. Whilst the vast majority of drone users are law-abiding and have good intentions, it is likely that some are not aware of the rules that apply and inadvertently break them, risking safety, privacy and security. It also cannot be ignored that there will be some who will purposefully break the laws on drones, and potentially use drones to cause harm. The Government’s vision is for a society and economy in the UK where drones are safely and properly used in ways that improve the delivery of public and commercial services, where all leisure drone users are aware of the rules and adhere to them, and where flourishing drone service businesses are contributing to the UK economy, creating jobs and encouraging the development of important new skills in the UK. We want to create the right conditions for new uses of drone technology to emerge and grow, placing the UK at the cutting edge of new technologies and capture a significant portion of the global drone applications market. We will not do so unless we take the safety, security and privacy challenges and our duties to the general public extremely seriously. This consultation sets out some of the next steps under consideration for doing so. These proposals aim to keep pace with this fast emerging market, balancing the challenges appropriately without restricting the opportunity drones present. They are intended to ensure the global competitiveness of the UK as a home for innovation and technological investment while providing the assurance the public need. As the technology and market opportunities develop, we want to proactively address these challenges, and support the growing and changing UK drones services industry. The consultation is published on gov.uk and the deadline for responding is 15 March 2016. Responses are encouraged from drone operators (commercial and leisure), the aviation industry, drone manufacturers and other companies involved in the drone market, model aircraft associations and their members, the insurance industry, members of the public and relevant NGOs, higher education institutions and research and development institutions, local authorities, and members of both Houses.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Ministerial Correction

Baroness Goldie: During the question for short debate on Tunisia Wednesday 30 November, I said that the level of UK funding to Tunisia had “quadrupled over the last two years” (HL Deb, col 304). I should have said that funding has more than doubled.Also in that debate, in describing international co-ordination on security reform through a G7 mechanism I said “we established a mechanism” (HL Deb, col 305). I should have said that we gave impetus to the mechanism.

Cabinet Office

Government Accountability and Transparency

Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen: Government Accountabilty and TransparencyAccountability and transparency is at the heart of our approach to government, ensuring that Whitehall’s elected representatives and senior officials uphold the highest standards in public life through transparency and democratic scrutiny.Ministerial accountabilityIt is customary for the Prime Minister to publish a revised Ministerial Code when they have taken office. An updated version today incorporates amendments on strengthening pre-release access rules for statistical releases and removing the provisions on extended ministerial offices. It also appends and incorporates the Business Appointment Rules, which apply for two years after leaving ministerial office.Under the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise between their Ministerial position and their private interests, financial or otherwise. An updated list of Ministers’ Interests captures those interests relevant to Ministers’ responsibilities; it should be read alongside the two Parliamentary Registers.The Prime Minister has also agreed the continued appointment of Sir Alex Allan as her independent adviser on Ministers’ Interests and we are today publishing his update report on the handling of Ministers’ Interests.Special Adviser transparencySpecial advisers protect the integrity and impartiality of the Civil Service by clearly separating out the provision of political advice to Ministers.The Cabinet Office is today publishing the annual list of special advisers and their cost. The number of special advisers has fallen for a second year and the projected annual bill for the year ahead is £7.9 million, down from £9.2 million in each of the last two reporting periods.Special advisers are temporary civil servants. They represent 0.07 per cent of the Civil Service pay bill. There are 83 special advisers across the whole of government; the total Civil Service has 420,000 civil servants.As indicated above, the Extended Ministerial Office regime allowed for additional appointments to support Ministers, these provisions have now ended. We believe that the long-standing arrangements of Ministerial support through Civil Service private offices and special advisers provide the right balance.A revised version of the Special Advisers’ Code of Conduct and Model Contract which incorporates technical changes and reflects changes to the Ministerial Code have also been published.The Government is also publishing today the transparency returns on senior public sector pay.Copies of the associated documents are being placed in the Library of the House and will be published on gov.uk.